Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8429, John Estes, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Estes, John
S. 8429
carded
CONTENTS

Virginia 12.566 John Eetes
Lunenburg in the State of Virginia who was a Spn. in the company commanded by Captain Broadax of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Virginia line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of May '33 - and sent applicant Bridget Store Lunenburg Co. Va.
Swears to the 4th of March '33 - 4 0 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " 1 0
$5 0
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Acct June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Mr Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 7

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838, from 4 th Sept 1838 to 4 March 1839. Agt notified 24 April 1840
1890 March 17. M c Rounds History Prior
Date of Stock card m. 83.

State of Virginia Lumberg (town),
On this 11 th day of February 1833 personally appeared in Open court being a court of Record for the county of Lumberg and now sitting John Estes Resident of said county aged 77 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he was Drafted in the Armies of the United States On 1 st day Sept r 1777 and marched from the county of Lumberg under capt n Edward Brannan in a tower of three months to Williamsburg where they joined Head Quarters and some time afterwards We were marched to little York where we remained until the first day of December When the Regiment was paraded and the Col d Rode along in front with his hat off Discharged the whole Regiment as such I received no Written discharge; and I do not know of any person living that I can prove any thing of my services of Discharge Except Edward Wilson whose certificate is herunto annexed
And On the 1 st day of January 1781 he was drafted for three months and marched in a detachment into North Carolina where we joined Head Quarters commanded by Genl Green & Spenser but was in a short time detailed and sent in a detach ment to carry some Military stores to Prince Edward Court house State of Virginia and remained on Extra duty Untill nearly the Expiration of the tower and On the first day of April he was Discharged but never Received any Written Discharge and that he knows of no person living that he can prove any thing about his tower either serving or being discharged and that he never served in any other capacity that that of a common soldier

And in Answer to the different interrogatories prescribed by the War Department the Answers there
To Question 1 Where and in what year were you born Ans r agreeable to a Register kept by my Father I was born the 7 th day February 1758 in the county of Louisa state of Virginia
Question 2 Have you any Record of your age and if so where is it
Ans r It is in my Pigeon
Question 3 Where were you living when called into service Where have lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live
Ans r I were born in the county of Louisa my father  where  but now live  where  since the  Revolutionary War  I have  lived there ever since and live there now,
Question 4 How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute
Ans r I were drafted in a three months tower in each base
Question 5 State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental & militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Ans r I can only say that I was drafted and marched under Capt Branderay to Williamsburg where we were attached to a Regiment but I do not remember by whom it was commanded and that we were discharged at Little York - and in my second tower I marched in a Detachment to North Carolina but do not recollect to what Regiment we were attached as I was in a few days sent on Extra duty and remained as such until nearly the expiration of the tower
Question 6 did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Ans r I Received no written Discharge in either base but was mustered out & discharged at the expiration of each tower having served my full tower

Question 7 th State Names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Ans r I am known in my neighbourhood by W m Pleasant Barrs & David Street & James Smith
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of the Agency of any State
John Ester
We Pleasant Barrs Clergyman Residing in the County of Lunenburg and David Street
Residing in the said County hereby testify that we are well acquainted with John Ester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 77 years of age that he is Reputed and Believed in the neighbourhood where he Resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution And that we concur in that Opinion
Pleasant Barrs David Street James Smith
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named John Ester was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the Court further testifies that it appears to them that Pleasant Barrs who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman Residing in the County of Lunenburg and that David Street & James Smith who has also signed the same are Residents of the said County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Note W m H. Jay to

Virginia Lunenburg County Set.
I William N. Taylor Clerk of the Court of Lunenburg County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Kester for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this 12 th day of February 1833 In the 57 th year of the Commonwealth
Wm N. Taylor 8-
Any communication respecting the above declaration please forward to the Applicant at the post office Brydies Store Lunenburg County Va

22936
John Bates
(Va.)
Almiga a prada ja bmo $20-
Applicant
Brydie St.
Lynchburg
Va.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Estee Luningburg @ 70
   Period when service rendered Duration of the claimant's service the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Marbles 1st '77 3 .. /pr Capt Broadax va. 77 Luningburg Tradly Furhept   " 1st '81 3 .. " Genl Green Lawson " n.C. who swears that he entered service  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No declaration can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. D. Withers Clerk

January 23, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Estes-S.8439 BA-J/AWF RM
Dr. Cary C. Dobbs Delta State Teachers College Cleveland, Mississippi
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Estes, soldier of the War of the Revolution, from Lunenburg County, Virginia.
The record of John Estes which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.8439, based upon his military service during the Revolutionary War.
John Estes was born February 7, 1756 in Louisa County, Virginia, names of his parents not given.
He enlisted, September 1, 1777, marched from Lunenburg County, Virginia, as a private in Captain Edward Broadnax's company of Virginia militia, went to Williamsburg and "Little York", length of service three months. He enlisted, January 1, 1781, marched as a private to the headquarters of General Greene in North Carolina, in a short time was detailed and sent with a detachment to carry military stores to Prince Edward Court House, Virginia, was discharged April 1, 1781, names of officers for this tour not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed, February 11, 1833, then a resident of Lunenburg County, Virginia.
There are no data in this claim concerning the family of John Estes.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of

pension, the name and address of the person to whom sent, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing the following:
John Estes Certificate # 12566 Issued May 10, 1833 Rate $20.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev War
8429
INVALID.
File No. 8429
John Estes
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 102 , Page 116
[Arrangement of 1870.]

35 - Jan 23 - high low Dr. Cary C. Dobb's and

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 16 th , 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Estes, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty - Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th March 1839.
Respectfully, yours;
William L. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
December 17, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXX ce:
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/AWF
Dr. Cary C. Dobbs Delta State Teachers College Cleveland, Mississippi
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Estes of Virginia.
The data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this office to identify the record of the John Estes, in whom you are interested.
You will please furnish as much as possible of the following data in regard to this soldier: approximate dates of birth and death and places of residence at enlistment and after service. Upon receipt of this information another search of the records will be made in your behalf and a report sent you.
Please return these letters with your reply.
Very truly yours
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "A. D. Hiller".
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

CARY C. DOBBS, D. SC. CHEMISTRY HEAD OF DEPARTMENT RICHARD L. CAYLOR, A. M. BIOLOGY THEODORE N. BURDINE, M. S. PHYSICS
DELTA STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE
CLEVELAND, MISSISSIPPI
Jan. 8, 1934.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
The John Estes that I am interested in lived for an time in Spotsylvania county, but he raised his family in Lunenburg Co. He has a number of children I know of two daughters, Nancy married William Cockerham, in 1793 in Lunenburg Co. The John Estes I am interested in must have lived from about 1745 to about 1835.
Thanking you for any assistance you are able to give me I am,
Sincerely,
Cary C. Dobbs
1 enc See

John Estus 22930

I Edward Wilson of the County of Lunenburg and state of Virginia do hereby certify that John Estes, new applicant, was drafted on the 1 st day of September 1777 in a troop of three months & marched in company with me under Captain Edward Brandax from the County of Lunenburg to Williamsburg and after serving some time there we were separated in different detachments But I believe he served his full term given under my hand this 11 th day of February 1833
Edward Wilson
State of Virginia Lunenburg County (ss)
This day Edward Wilson a credible witness whose testimony is intitled to credit came before me One of the Commonwealth's Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid and made Oath to the above certificate given under my hand this 11 th day of February 1833
George L Bayn JP
Virginia. Lunenburg County ss
I William H Taylor Clerk of the County court of said County do hereby certify that George L Bayn Esq whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly com- missioned and qualified and that his certificate thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 16 th day of February 1833 In the 57 th year of the Commonwealth
W H Taylor Clk